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EVERYTHING TO PLAY FOR: Our message for the future of music education

Main Meeting Hall, Salvation Army, 99 - 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DN

on Wednesday 17 March 2010 10.30 am (registration and coffee) to 3.30 pm

Over the last few years it would be true to say that we’ve never had it so good. Initiatives such as Sing Up, Wider Opportunities, In Harmony and Musical Futures have fundamentally changed the face of music education. All primary schools are well on the way to becoming singing schools, whole classes of children have had the opportunity to learn to play musical instruments, people in socially deprived areas have found their voice through music and young people who had switched off music in their teens have switched back on. All these things have been achieved because those in music education have been prepared to change radically, take risks and think ‘outside the box’.

But life doesn’t stay still; progress is only brought about by changing things for the better. And we as professional music educators in MEC are at the forefront of change. There is, of course, a bigger picture, which is being shaped by society, politicians, the general election and a struggling economy. In this, we have everything to play for, but also lots to lose. What are we playing for? What do wish to achieve as we lay the strategic foundations for the next five years or so? What are our priorities at a time of financial constraint?

Fundamental to this is our MESSAGE – who determines what it is, who conveys it and to whom is it delivered? In answering these questions, MEC must come into its own; it must unite the sector as a strong alliance and have authority, leadership and ownership to communicate up and down, and in and out.

So this full council seminar will bring together some key advocates to discuss with us how best to protect and further develop our music education system. We will be joined by Darren Henley, Chair of the Music Manifesto Partnership and Advocacy Group, Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and Christina Coker, Chief Executive of Youth Music. During the morning we will explore issues concerning the political context, the legacy of the Year of Music, the message, our united voice, what we are fighting for and the need for a strengthened Music Education Council. During the afternoon we will break into groups to refine our short and long-term goals; what are our essential priorities, but also what may we need to shed in order to achieve them?

This is a day for all full council members and colleagues in the sector. We are in MEC because we all share a passionate conviction about the value of music education. There could never be a more critical time to come together for all the people, old and young, who we serve. I very much hope you will make this day a priority for MEC and music education. We have everything to play for.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact Anna Hassan MEC Administrator at ahassan@easynet.co.uk or call 0161 928 3085